On August 30, Cedenir Simon seemed surprised and almost disappointed. “We received no egg throwing, insults or threats!”says the Workers’ Party (PT) candidate for mayor of Brusque, in southern Brazil. “Cedê” (his nickname) is towing with some activists at the city’s bus terminal. Of course, most of the spectators politely ignore him, but some still agree to talk. “People are listening again. Things are moving!”rejoices.
In this city of 150,000 inhabitants in the state of Santa Catarina, it is an understatement to say that the left is not the favourite in the elections of October 6, in which Brazil will renew its more than 5,500 municipal councils. During the 2022 presidential elections, the current head of state, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, only obtained 21.4% of the votes in Brusque, compared to 78.6% for the far right of Jair Bolsonaro (50.9% and 49.1% respectively at the national level).
But in the two years since then, things seem to have changed. PT supporters now fearlessly display the red star, the party’s emblem, in public. “We are left-wing and we don’t hide it!”proclaims Cedê, with a jovial face, who has made his proximity to Lula a campaign argument. “Several of his ministers are my friends. I can open the door to their offices without an appointment!”he boasts, smiling.
Located 30 kilometres from the ocean, Brusque is not a very cheerful town. This powerful textile centre, the thriving capital of Brazilian knitwear, spreads out its lead-grey factories and buildings along the Itajai-Mirim river. The only eccentricity on the table: the large buildings decorated with turrets vaguely evoke the half-timbered architecture of the Elbe or Lake Constance. One of them houses the town hall. Founded by German, then Italian and Polish immigrants, Brusque is a town with a Germanic culture. “Here, work is the key value and implies integrity, punctuality and dedication”lists Leandro Hyarup, 43 years old, spinning businessman.
The PT governed Brusque at times with Paulo Eccel (2009-2013). An accident, according to Leandro Hyarup. “The rejection of the PT is very strong, said. The people of Brusque have never forgiven Lula for his corruption. They oppose social assistance and feel that they receive very little money compared to the amount of taxes they pay to the Federation.
Three conservative candidates
In this somewhat austere city, civil-military public schools are booming. Brusque has four such establishments where discipline is ensured by former officers and where students sing the national anthem every day with their hands on their hearts. “It is about rediscovering the sense of patriotism and respect: two values that have been forgotten in recent years”explains Ana Vani Giraldi, 58, director of the Isaura Gouvêa Gevaerd civic-military school, located in the south of the city.
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